Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural

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The Botanic Gardens in Funchal, Madeira, are, and this is not a surprise, steeply terraced gardens with a mix of native and international flora, displayed in tropical, desert, formal, forest, succulent, medicinal and herbal…. different zones with winding paths leading up and down the hillside.

There is a sad and unnecessary aviary here too with bare concrete cages and depressed looking birds on show. Not pleasant.

Some of the displays are superb – the cycads for example, the ‘English’ topiary garden, the desert plants (particularly for an enthusiast) and the bedding parterre – but there is a municipal and like the birds on show, desultory air to much of the planting. Glad I went, but would not go again (though I would revisit both the Palheiro Gardens and the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens without hesitation). Wonderful views over Funchal though.

Teddington Gardener

These pages illustrate my love of plants and gardens, design and creative expression - learning more about horticulture and sharing the knowledge. Here you will find a showcase for my own photography, commentary on plants and places visited, horticultural know-how, a dose of inspiration and a seasonal diary for your garden.